Report on Tamiflu Side Effects and Usage by AskDocWeb

About Tamiflu

This page will save you time in researching Tamiflu. We search the United States Food and Drug Administration, Physician’s Desk Reference, Universities around the world and hundreds of Internet sites to give you this report in easy to understand plain English.

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu® is a drug belonging to the family of drugs called antivirals. Anti-virus drugs are used to treat diseases that are caused by viruses. They are not vaccines, which means they do not prevent the disease, but they do reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten recovery time.

Tamiflu comes in both capsules and an oral suspension. The liquid Tamiflu needs to be stored in the refrigerator and is shaken well before each use.

Tamiflu Indications

Tamiflu is indicated if the ailment is influenza A or influenza B. The symptoms of both types of viruses are reduced including headache, weakness, cough, sore throat and fever. The beneficial results are often seen in the first 24 hours.

Counter Indications for Tamiflu

Tamiflu is manufactured with the use of eggs. If you are allergic to eggs, you may still be able to take this antiviral medication. Talk to your doctor about a desensitization program.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies as you may be advised not to take Tamiflu.

Pregnant Women

In animal studies, Tamiflu was shown to cause birth defects on the animals tested. It has not been tested on pregnant women. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not take Tamiflu without first consulting your doctor.

Tamiflu passes from nursing mothers to infants in breast milk. It is fairly safe to breast feed provided that you first talk with your doctor the about risks of breast feeding.

Conditions that affect Tamiflu

The following medical conditions can affect the effect of Tamiflu on your body:

  • Lung Problems
  • Kidney ailments
  • Liver diseases
  • Heart problems
  • Other viral infections aside from Influenza A or Influenza B
  • Any serious medical problem that needs constant medical attention.

It is best that you tell your doctor about any medical condition you have as well as the above.

Typical Dosage of Tamiflu

For the treatment of both Influenza A and Influenza B, the dosage of Tamiflu is typically as follows.

Adults: 75 mg of Tamiflu to be taken twice a day for up to five days.

Children: 30-75 mg of Tamiflu to be taken twice a day for up to five days.

The exact dose of Tamiflu is dependent upon your body weight and other factors determined by your doctor. A pediatrician must determine the dosage for infants.

Tamiflu Overdose

Although there is no data about the symptoms, if any, of a Tamiflu overdose, if you suspect an overdose or notice anything unusual, immediately seek emergency medical attention.

Miss a Dose of Tamiflu?

Tamiflu is designed to be taken continuously at regular intervals. If at all possible, make sure no dose of Tamiflu is missed. If it is unavoidable, you should take the dose you missed as soon as you remember provided that it is not near the time for your next dose. Never take the missed dose of Tamiflu within two hours (or earlier) of the next dose. Never take double doses of Tamiflu.

Reported Side Effects of Tamiflu

There may be some unwanted side effects of taking Tamiflu, ranging from mild to severe. Side effects associated with Tamiflu are as follows:

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Phlegm production
  • Wheezing
  • Cough
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Stomach upsets
  • Nosebleed
  • Swelling of eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Itching eyes
  • Excessive production of tears
  • Skin flushing
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia

Nosebleeds are a frequently seen side effect that commonly occurs in children.

Side effects other than the above may also occur. If you experience any side effects that become bothersome, immediately tell your doctor.

Tamiflu is known to cause hepatitis is some cases.

Tamiflu Drug Reactions

The only drugs that we found that could adversely interact with Tamiflu are those containing Probenecid. If you are taking Probenecid, make sure your doctor knows about it.

Always tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription drugs or herbs you are taking. There are some herbs that interact with medication.

Storing Tamiflu

Tamiflu has a shelf life of 5 years. Store at room temperature, away from heat, light and children.

Generic Names

The generic name of Tamiflu is Oseltamivir.

Common Misspellings for Tamiflu

Tamiflu is often misspelled, as many people hear the word verbally, write it down and spell it incorrectly. Here are the most common misspellings; taniflu, tamiful, tamilfu, tamfilu, taimflu, tmaiflu, atmiflu, tamifl, tamifu, tamilu, tamflu, taiflu, tmiflu, amiflu, tamiflu

Notes

Tamiflu can be taken with or without food, as it does not irritate the stomach. Taking Tamiflu with food lessens the chances of stomach upset.

Follow your doctor’s directions in taking Tamiflu. Deviating from your doctor’s instructions on how you take Tamiflu may affect its effectiveness.

Tamiflu should be taken for the full course of the treatment prescribed by your doctor. Typically this will be for either 5 or 7 days. Even if you start to feel better, you should continue with Tamiflu until completing the treatment as specified by you doctor. This will help to insure that the last of the infection is cleared out of your body.

Bottles containing Tamiflu suspension should be shaken well before use to make sure the contents are well mixed.

The oral suspension of Tamiflu must be measured accurately with a dose-measuring cup or spoon to prevent Overdose.

Always check the expiration date on any medication you take, including Tamiflu. Taking an expired medicine may do you more harm than good.

Availability of Tamiflu

It takes 12 months to produce a new batch of Tamiflu so it is not a quick fix. And at $5 per pill, not everyone will be able to afford it.

Tamiflu Feedback

Subj: Tamiflu cost
Date: 11/7/2005
I am now using this taniflu as it is spelled on my medication box. I purchased this drug from Walgreens Pharmacy for (10)ten pills for a cost of $102.00. It appears that I bought this at a price of $10.00 pill. You mentioned that it is $5.00 a pill. The Pharmacueticals are making a killing! Please respond! Sinceerely,

Dolores (I am a Senior Citizen) paying for my own medicine!

AskDocWeb: Hope you are not taking the pills right now. They are suppose to be taken only at the first sign of symptoms. Remember that Tamiflu is an antiviral drug, it will not protect you like a vaccine.

The spelling is likely a typo because when we checked the Walgreens website, they list Tamiflu but not taniflu. We see all kind of misspelling for this drug such as tamaflu, tamifl, tsmiflu, tamuflu, tamirlu, yamiflu, tamflu, tamifflu, taiflu, ta iflu, taniflu, takiflu, famiflu, tamifl, tamifl8, and ttamiflu.

Subj: Shelf life of Tamiflu
Date: 5/7/2006
what is the shelf life of tamflu….should it be left out, refrigerated, or put in the frezz to extent the shelf life….her

Harlan

AskDocWeb: The shelf life of the pill form of Tamiflu is 5 years. Freezing would destroy the effectiveness of this drug.

Subj: Tamiflu for avian flu treatment
Date: 12/7/2006
My patient was taking Tamiflu for his avian flu treatment, he suffered from many falls and injuries! He isn’t taking any other drugs, is there any relation?

Medo

AskDocWeb: Yes, Tamiflu can affect the sense of balance and cause dizziness. That could easily lead to falls resulting in injuries.

Subj: Side effects
Date: 2/18/2008
How long will the side effects last? I took my last dose on Friday and today is Monday.

Dhammo

AskDocWeb: Typically the side effects of an antiviral drug, including Tamiflu, last only a day or so, if they last longer than that you should consult with your doctor.

Subj: Dark orange urine
Date: 2/22/2008
I started Tamiflu yesterday as prescribed by my physician but am noticing dark orange urine following my doses. Is this common?

Michelle

AskDocWeb: Most changes in urine color are completely harmless and are common. Dark orange urine can be caused by the recent use of laxatives or consumption of food containing carotene (Carrot juice), food coloring, certain antibiotics, food dyes, vitamin pills (especially C vitamins), or not drinking enough water.

Orange urine is often caused by, doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), phenazopyridine (Pyridium), pyridium (used in the treatment of urinary tract infections), rifampin, and warfarin (Coumadin).

Dark orange urine can also be a sign of medical problems such as jaundice, Gilbert’s syndrome, or urinary infection. Warning signs that need to be reported to your doctor include:

  • Abdominal pain that comes in waves
  • Burning pain with urination
  • Fever, chills, sweats
  • Frequent urination
  • Persistent urge to urinate
  • Strong-smelling urine (normal urine should have little or no odor)

If you can’t link the change in urine color to the consumption of a food or drug then you should report it to your doctor, especially if it happens for longer than a day or two, or if there are repeated episodes. Orange color that is not caused by food or drugs may indicate small amounts of blood in the urine.

Subj: Was taking the drug worth the cost?
Date: 2/22/2008
I was exposed to several people with the flu and felt the symptoms of the flu hit me within a few days of my exposure. I called my doctor and I asked him about Tamiflu. He agreed I should give it a try since I contacted him about eighteen hours after I felt my first symptom. I have about four more tablets to take and I can say that I did not suffer from a fever and while I still do not feel well, I think it did reduce some of the discomfort. It is 2008 as I write this, and my price was nearly $170.00 for a box of ten with both my co-pay and what the insurance company paid. Think the website may have be updated to reflect the current prices. Overall, was taking the drug worth the cost? Probably not for the little I feel it did.

Frank

Subj: Shelf life of Tamiflu
Date: 12/25/2008
What if I forgot to refrigerate the tamiflu for 12 hours, should I get a new prescription?

Tyran

AskDocWeb: If it is in capsule form then there is not need to get a new prescription. Tamiflu capsules have a shelf life of 5 years. Store at room temperature, away from heat, light and children.

Subj: Red, dry and scratchy eyes
Date: 3/28/2009
I started taking tamiflu and rimantidine approx 3 weeks ago and noticed red, dry and scratchy eyes(especially morning) after 2-3 days of taking the medication. I stopped the medication and the symptoms continue. I have used antibiotic eye drops for 5 days following with no improvement. Also used steroid for a couple of days. No improvement. I went to opthomologist and they gave me two different allergy eye drops that I have been using for 6 days without improvement. Any thoughts? I have had no previous problems in the past and have been on hctz for 4 years for blood pressure. Blood pressure under control. Glaucoma test was a little high(23) but doctor said that it could be from the steroid drops I had used previously. He is not really concerned with that at this time.

Pamela

AskDocWeb: If your doctor isn’t concerned then just give it some time.

Update 5/16/2009 The shelf-life of Tamiflu may be extended. Europe’s London-based drug watchdog has recommended that the shelf life of Roche’s Tamiflu should be extended to seven years from five years due to the outbreak of the new H1N1 virus. Once formally approved by the European Commission, the new guidelines from the European Medicines Agency would apply to all newly manufactured Tamiflu capsules, it said. The watchdog also called for tablets already on the market to be used for up to two more years after their current five-year expiry date during a declared pandemic. “Patients who have Tamiflu capsules that have recently expired should not dispose of them because they might be needed during a novel influenza A/H1N1 pandemic,” the London-based agency said. Read more feedback

Most recent post: March 10, 2017